DUBAI // Tim Cahill, Everton's Australian international midfielder, is fronting a new high-profile, multi-sport academy in Dubai. The Elite Sporting Academy (ESA), which is based at Repton School in Nad al Sheba, has been set up to provide a pathway to elite sport for the region's aspiring sportsmen. Cahill, who originates from Manu Samoa, but switched allegiance to Australia in order to play a higher standard of international football, is one of the major shareholders in ESA.
He was prompted to join the project by his fellow Samoan, the Dubai-based rugby coach John Mamea-Wilson. Mamea-Wilson, who played international rugby for Samoa, already has a considerable footprint in UAE grassroots sport. Three-and-a-half years ago he set up the first all Emirati rugby team after introducing the sport to a young UAE national who had come to him for personal fitness advice. Despite no previous pedigree for the game, rugby has firmly taken hold among his group. The UAE Falcons will play in their fourth Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next month.
Cahill admits he was encouraged to sign-up with the Air Miles-sponsored ESA because of the benefits it will provide for the indigenous population. He said: "When John asked if I would like to be involved, I jumped at the chance. The whole layout is aimed towards the elite. The reality is in Dubai there is no elite pathway for up and coming talent. "ESA will provide this, with the best facilities, the best systems, regular matches - both locally and internationally - and the best coaches and mentors. It's exciting because it will benefit a whole lot of kids both expatriate and Arab nationals and it's great to do something with John which we both believe in."
The academy will provide places to 240 young sportsmen, with the promise of renowned coaches and sporting stars on hand to create a path towards professionalism. As an indication of the calibre of coaches the ESA will have, Apollo Perelini has already been persuaded to leave England's top rugby league side, St Helens, and move to Dubai. Perelini, a former a dual-code rugby international, will relocate to the emirate to head the academy's coaching department.
Mamea-Wilson added: "Our main focus is to produce players who are ready to compete at the highest level, where the results do matter. It is important we get those players technically developed in order to do this. "I'm excited and thankful for Tim's involvement and also to have Apollo start next month and help lay the foundations for a fantastic opportunity. "Along with a great relationship with Repton School and sponsorship from Air Miles we are well on the way to developing locally bred professionals."
Early next year the academy will hold a tournament with invited schools from across the UAE. The academy's selection team will choose those they feel have the potential to become professionals. The initial student intake will consist of 60 places each in four age groups between under 10-under 16. Football and rugby are the two sports already recruiting, but the academy will add netball and cricket to its curriculum following its launch in early November.
Air Miles, who are partnered with ESA, have donated a collection of the latest gym and sporting equipment to the academy. They also assisted in sending the promising rugby player, Josh Warburton, 15, to train with the Gunness Premiership club Sale Sharks in England. pradley@thenational.ae
